Labassa, with its Euro-Germanic motifs was the most opulent and highly decorated mansion built during the 1880s Land Boom. Most of Australia's historic mansions are now long gone but Labassa's unique ambience survives with its historic decoration.

The story of Labassa is traced from modest villa, to mansion, to 20th century run-down flats. Finally, in 1980, the National Trust rescued the property with an 11th hour purchase.

The 700-plus people who once lived there, included millionaires, movie stars, war heroes and refugees. In the 1960s a generation of artists turned it into a bohemian enclave. The timely role played by many of these residents in the mansion's miraculous survival is revealed through their personal stories vividly featured in this lavishly designed publication.